Please describe what you believe are the most significant issues in this race and why.

This race boils down to one fundamental question: Does Texas need a Justice who is focused on constitutional jurisdictions and brings a wealth of unique experiences to the court, or do Texans prefer incumbents who have been on the bench for decades and have the same experience and resume as most all other justices. If you think the judicial branch (both state and federal) is doing just fine, you’ll want to support the incumbent. If you believe we need to put the court back into it’s proper constitutional role, then Rick Green is the Constitutional Watchdog you’ll want to support.

Are the United States and Texas constitutions living documents?  Please answer in the context of Progressivism versus Originalism.   

Only in the sense that the words and original meanings of both documents are still alive and applicable today (this is the reason my Constitution Course is called “Constitution Alive!.” We bring the history back to life so that people understand the reasons and original intent of each constitutional protection.  But absolutely NOT a “living document” in the way that term is used by progressives who want judges to modify the document, completely distorting the original intent, in order to make it “more applicable” to a new society. It is absolutely unconstitutional for the 5 lawyers on the court to amend the meaning of the Constitution. Only through the Article V amendment process can the meaning of the Constitution can be properly changed. Neither option in Article V involves the judiciary at all.

Please describe the best way for the average voter to determine which candidate for this office is best.

See the attached description of how the well-intentioned judicial code of conduct has made it very difficult for voters to discern which judicial candidates truly reflect the judicial philosophy desired by the electorate. However, one need only look at a candidate’s track record. I have a proven conservative record, awarded top marks from virtually every conservative organization in Texas.

How many days off per year should the officeholder of this position take to learn (seminars & workshops) or teach (give educational or motivational talks) or network with other county officials?

I’m open to receiving information to inform my lack of an opinion on this matter.

Who is endorsing you and what is their relationship to you?

David Barton, whom I have worked with for nearly two decades. Chuck Norris, Kelly Shackelford, Jonathon Saenz, Cathie Adams, Judge Paul Pressler, Judge Rene Diez, Carol Everett, Dr. James Dobson, and a host of other conservative leaders, all of which I have worked with in the conservative movement in various capacities.

Why are you running for this office and what 3 major goals do you want to be measured by if you are elected?

The courts are out of control and outside their constitutional jurisdictions far too often. June 2015 was a disaster at both the federal and state level with court decisions that ignored our Constitutions and ignored statutes written by the elected legislators, while federal judges wrote and re-wrote the law on their own and made up “constitutional rights” out of thin air, our state court ignored the state constitutional definition of marriage and prevented the Attorney General from defending our constitution.

My goals are very simple: Defend the U.S. and Texas Constitutions in an environment where respect for constitutional limitations of government too often give way to political expedience.

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

1) The specific need at this time is a constitutional watchdog focused on restoring separation of powers and protecting constitutional rights such as religious liberty, due process, & 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. I have spent the last 20 years in the study, teaching, and protection of these core principles of our republic. I have the right experience and the right values for this particular time in our history.

2) This is a rare opportunity to elect a true conservative and proven patriot to the Supreme Court. Many politicians talk a good game about respecting the Constitution, but I have two decades of a proven record defending the Constitution. The time is right. Citizens are frustrated with courts out of control and out of their jurisdiction.

3) Having won 1st place out of 6 candidates in 2010 and barely losing the runoff, and after two decades of teaching on the constitution at tea parties, churches, and republican clubs across the state, we have the base of support needed to win this race while also building momentum for a large turnout of constitutional conservatives in the election.

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for this office needs to be adjusted?

Honestly do not know yet.

How will you improve the transparency and access to financial and other records for the public?

I believe this is a policy issue for the legislature, but I will apply the law as they write it.

To what extent do you believe the state or federal government should be able to obtain court orders directing parents to do things for their children that the parent does not believe should be done?

I believe the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing of their children is a fundamental right that should only be infringed when the government can demonstrate an interest of the highest order applied to the person where not otherwise served. For example, the government should not interfere in the parents decisions regarding education, upbringing, religion or care.

Do parents have the right to block grandparent "rights" or doctor intervention? Why/not?

See (No. 14) above.

Where do you perceive the greatest corruption exists in Montgomery county courts?

When a judicial candidate raises a significant amount of their campaign funds from the attorneys who practice before them, it automatically raises concerns.

What can you do in your court to protect citizens from harm by illegal aliens?

While most illegal immigration issues will be heard by the federal courts or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court should do everything within its constitutional authority to uphold and apply the law.

Do the taxpayers have a responsibility to provide an interpreter for non-English speaking illegals?  As well, do taxpayers have-to-have one available during courtroom hours just in case someone might need their services?

The Texas and U.S. Constitutions provide criminal defendants with the right to face their accusers and and Article 38:30 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures provides for how this affects a person needing an interpreter. These costs are yet another symptom of the deeper problems associated with the poor immigration policy decisions of the federal government and lack of enforcement of the laws already on the books. I would not support removing due process, but rather encourage enforcement of the law.

What is the job of a judge?   What is your judicial philosophy?

Defend the U.S. and Texas Constitutions; apply current law within constitutional boundaries to the fact circumstances before the court and do so according to the rules and procedures adopted by the Legislature; within those boundaries adopted by the Legislature and as spelled out by the Texas Constitution, to adopt further rules and procedures for the Texas court system. I am a strict constructionist and originalist.

What is the proper role of a lawyer?

Act justly and competently, while ethically advocating for both the client and the law.

Among the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, which one do you respect the most, and why? Which one do you respect the least, and why?

Clarence Thomas & Antonin Scalia. Hard for me to decide between the two. They are both strict constructionists and often point out original intent that other justices seem to ignore.

Even harder to decide the one deserving the least respect. Kagan, Sotomayor, Breyer, and Ginsburg are all pretty equally bad and for more reasons than I could list here; including, but not limited to, their disdain for American Exceptionalism and founding principles, their ignoring of plain constitutional language, and their willingness to legislate from the bench.

What is the single most important action the county needs to do to keep this a great community to live in?

Restore the proper jurisdictions (limited authority) of each level and branch of government, while also restoring the immutable principles of liberty upon which we were founded.

Please explain your view of recidivism and how it affects the sentences you given

While this question is not applicable to the office at issue, I will point out that recidivism is dramatically lower when faith based programs are implemented.

Should the state license barbers?  Lawyers? Why or why not?

No, the over-regulation of the free-market harms consumers, rather than protecting them. Private licensing organizations are far better at helping consumers make informed decisions regarding their non-government purchasing decisions. Lawyers? Yes, because the judicial system is a fundamental function of government.

What carries the greatest influence on your ruling: case law, the Constitution, or other?

The Constitution.

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election?

The liberal media and establishment elites have often twisted, distorted, and exaggerated my actions and falsely accused me of many actions never actually taken, all in an attempt to score political points. While I am a flawed man, in need of the grace and redemption found in my Savior and ever thankful for His forgiveness of all the poor decisions in my life, the only item fitting your question would be the very publicly documented time a decade ago when I had an altercation with a liberal democrat who refused to stop dragging my family’s name through the mud even 4 years after I had last run for public office. I publicly apologized for this, the case was dismissed and the record expunged, and I have learned much from this mistake.

To what extent would you need to recuse yourself from cases because of conflicts of interest?

None that I am aware of at this time.

Can the legislature effectively write law that makes sense for 30 million people? Please explain your thoughts

Yes, especially when the law is based on principles.  And the legislature is the only branch capable, the courts most certainly are not.